You’ll meet a family ‘in love with life’ during Misericordia University’s production of ‘You Can’t Take It With You’

A visiting actress is passed out on the couch, a Russian ballet master teaches his protegee and Grandpa presides over his zany family as Zoe LaPorte, Michaela McQuaig, Cordell Bresh and Jacob Schweiger rehearse for Misericorida University’s production of ‘You Can’t Take It With You.’ Aimee Dilger | Weekender

Director Jeff Kelly explains a point to the cast of ‘You Can’t Take It With You.’ Aimee Dilger | Weekender

Adam Ercolani Playing the xylophone, as Adam Ercolani’s character does, is just one of the many creative activities an eccentric family enjoys in ‘You Can’t Take It With You.’ Aimee Dilger | Weekender

Misericordia University students Connor Swagler and James Cihocki portray two men who are intent about crafting fireworks in the basement. That’s just one of many unusual activities the characters pursue in the comedy ‘You Can’t Take It With You.’ Aimee Dilger | Weekender

DALLAS TOWNSHIP — Before her boyfriend, who happens to be her boss’ son, comes over to meet her family, Alice Sycamore tries to persuade her eccentric relatives to tone down their antics.

“Don’t read him any plays, Mother, and don’t let a snake bite him, Grandpa, because I like him. And, I wouldn’t dance for him, Essie, because we’re going to the Monte Carlo Ballet tonight.”

Just so you know, Alice’s mom writes plays because a typewriter was delivered to their house by mistake a few years earlier. Her grandfather collects live snakes and her sister, Essie, stretches and twirls in every direction, right in the middle of conversations because, when she’s not making candy, her life seems to be one constant ballet class.

But as the students who are preparing the comedy “You Can’t Take It With You” for March 17-19 at Misericordia University can tell you, those characters are only part of the jolly and unconventional Sycamore household.

“I get so — for lack of a better word — sloshed, I pass out on the couch,” said Zoe Laporte, 19, of West Pittston, who portrays an actress Mrs. Sycamore befriends.

“I build fireworks in the cellar,” said James Cihocki, 19, of Hunlock Creek, who plays Mr. Sycamore. “Everyone in the family does what makes them happy. We’re all in love with life.”

When Alice’s boyfriend brings his parents over to dinner on “the wrong night” — an evening when everyone at Alice’s house is just being himself or herself — the situation turns even more lively than usual.

“It’s mad chaos. People are dancing and painting. There’s a guy in a toga,” said Mason Moher, 21, of Clarks Summit, who plays Alice’s stuffy future father-in-law, Mr. Kirby.

A visiting actress is passed out on the couch, a Russian ballet master teaches his protegee and Grandpa presides over his zany family as Zoe LaPorte, Michaela McQuaig, Cordell Bresh and Jacob Schweiger rehearse for Misericorida University’s production of ‘You Can’t Take It With You.’

http://theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_TTL031116takewith1-1-1.jpgA visiting actress is passed out on the couch, a Russian ballet master teaches his protegee and Grandpa presides over his zany family as Zoe LaPorte, Michaela McQuaig, Cordell Bresh and Jacob Schweiger rehearse for Misericorida University’s production of ‘You Can’t Take It With You.’ Aimee Dilger | Weekender

Director Jeff Kelly explains a point to the cast of ‘You Can’t Take It With You.’

http://theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_TTL031116takewith2-1-1.jpgDirector Jeff Kelly explains a point to the cast of ‘You Can’t Take It With You.’ Aimee Dilger | Weekender

Adam Ercolani Playing the xylophone, as Adam Ercolani’s character does, is just one of the many creative activities an eccentric family enjoys in ‘You Can’t Take It With You.’

http://theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_TTL031116takewith3-1-1.jpgAdam Ercolani Playing the xylophone, as Adam Ercolani’s character does, is just one of the many creative activities an eccentric family enjoys in ‘You Can’t Take It With You.’ Aimee Dilger | Weekender

Misericordia University students Connor Swagler and James Cihocki portray two men who are intent about crafting fireworks in the basement. That’s just one of many unusual activities the characters pursue in the comedy ‘You Can’t Take It With You.’

http://theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_TTL031116takewith4-1-1.jpgMisericordia University students Connor Swagler and James Cihocki portray two men who are intent about crafting fireworks in the basement. That’s just one of many unusual activities the characters pursue in the comedy ‘You Can’t Take It With You.’ Aimee Dilger | Weekender